❓ The Minister for Agriculture and Food outlines the Liberal-National government's support for grain growers, focusing on investments in the grain freight network and road safety improvements. The response also addresses criticism from the opposition regarding their past performance.
AnsweredQoN 706Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GRAIN GROWERS — GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Members in this place know how important the agriculture industry is to Western Australia, in particular, one of the major exports, our grains. Can the minister explain how the Liberal–National government is supporting grain growers and also making our country roads much safer? Mr D.T. REDMAN
Members in this place know how important the agriculture industry is to Western Australia, in particular, one of the major exports, our grains. Can the minister explain how the Liberal–National government is supporting grain growers and also making our country roads much safer? Mr D.T. REDMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question. As a member who has been around a significant area of regional Western Australia during his career as a police officer in Western Australia, he has a very good understanding of the challenges the region faces. We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question. As a member who has been around a significant area of regional Western Australia during his career as a police officer in Western Australia, he has a very good understanding of the challenges the region faces. We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question. As a member who has been around a significant area of regional Western Australia during his career as a police officer in Western Australia, he has a very good understanding of the challenges the region faces. We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN replied: I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question. As a member who has been around a significant area of regional Western Australia during his career as a police officer in Western Australia, he has a very good understanding of the challenges the region faces. We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
I thank the member for Murray–Wellington for the question. As a member who has been around a significant area of regional Western Australia during his career as a police officer in Western Australia, he has a very good understanding of the challenges the region faces. We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
We recognise that the grain sector in Western Australia, through a typical season, is worth around $4.5 billion to the economy. That is very, very significant indeed, but is of course when we have a normal 10 million or 11 million–tonne crop. We recognise that the challenging dry conditions of this year will mean that the crop will be half of what is normally expected. The role played by grain producers in their contribution to the state’s economy has been acknowledged by the Liberal–National government’s commitment of $178.8 million to bolster the Western Australian grain freight network. This is good news. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Thank you, members! Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr E.S. Ripper : That is great financial management. The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the Opposition, I formally call you to order for the first time. I believe that the question was asked by the member for Murray–Wellington. Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : This is good news for grain growers. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister. Member for Kwinana, if you have something to ask in this place or some comment to make I will give you an opportunity at a later stage; right now, I formally call you to order for the first time. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : The Premier, the Minister for Transport, Hon Simon O’Brien, and I announced a package yesterday that will see more than 1 200 kilometres of rail line upgraded. The Liberal–National government has made a commitment to the future of the agricultural industry in this state and all members opposite can say is, “What have we done in the last eight years!” Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Member for Collie–Preston, I formally call you to order the first time along with the member for West Swan. Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : The best that I can recollect is that the Labor Party called on the government to fund this and what happens when we fund it? They sit over there and cry while wondering what the hell they did in their last eight years in government. This place must be left confused about Labor’s position and where its members stand on the grain rail freight network in Western Australia. Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Yesterday’s funding announcement also complements the $50 million interim funding announced by Hon Simon O’Brien in January; it also secures the federal government’s commitment of $135 million announced in the 2010–11 federal budget—the total of $352 million over four years, includes $187.9 million for re-sleepering works and rail siding upgrades on WA’s busiest grain freight lines. It also includes $118.3 million for improvements and maintenance to Wheatbelt roads, and $14.6 million for a transition assistance package to ensure that rail transport remains competitive with road transport. Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr M.P. Murray interjected. The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The SPEAKER : Take a seat, minister; thank you. Member for Collie–Preston, you have opportunities in this place to ask questions; however, to consistently interject with other matters is not appropriate and I formally call you to order for the second time today. Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
Mr D.T. REDMAN : Thank you, Mr Speaker. My fourth point is about $500 000 for a further rail study. This will improve the efficiency of the grain freight network. Lowering farmers’ costs will allow them to be competitive in the international market and we all know that 97 per cent of WA’s grain crops are exported. I spoke recently about the very big opportunity that exists in the Saudi market and the first shipment has just landed there. This is good news for Western Australian industry as it looks forward to supporting those potential future markets. The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
The second part of the question was about a fundamental policy setting to get grain freight off the roads and on to rail. Hon Simon O’Brien has done a fantastic job to put in place a policy that makes those roads much safer for country communities. I congratulate the Minister for Transport for his initiative. Also, on the back of the work that we are doing on the other part of the grain supply chain, is this government’s commitment of $30 million to the Australian export grain innovation centre, the New Genes for New Environments facilities at Katanning and Merredin, which will utilise new GM technology, and, of course, this government’s very progressive decisions around GM canola. The Liberal–National government is investing in the future of the farming community in Western Australia.
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